POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Night Skies Assistant
Park Unit: Zion National Park
Location: Springdale, Utah
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: NO
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Start Date: 10/06/2024
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $565.00
Relocation Allowance: $400.00
CURRENT NUMBER OF APPLICANTS: Under 75 (This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first.)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Night Skies Assistant position at Zion National Park will be responsible for executing the night sky programing plan at Zion National Park, under the guidance of the Supervisory Park Ranger. The Night Skies Assistant will also be responsible for conducting public interpretive programs night sky programing and daytime programing. These programs will consist of 30-minute ranger talks and one-to-two-hour evening programs. This position will be encouraged to implement different types of night-sky programing that fits within Zion National Park’s high visitation, existing program structure, and interpretive material. Frequency of programs will be outlined in the programing plan.
The Night Skies Assistant will be expected to work with Zion Education to develop K-12 night sky preservation curriculum content. This work may include virtual classroom visits, teacher aid packets, and/or in-person school curriculum programing.
POSITION IMPACT
The night sky is a valued resource at Zion National Park that attracts visitors from across the globe. Zion National Park was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2021. Since its designation the Park has been planning the structure and future of night-sky programing offered. This position will be instrumental in implementing the future of Zion’s night-sky programing and increasing stewardship within Zion visitation.
DELIVERABLES
The Night Sky Assistant will implement a pre-determined interpretive programing plan at Zion National Park for Night Sky public programing. The Night Sky Assistant will also work with Zion Education to develop K-12 curriculum materials that are planned to be used both virtually and in-person.
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of astronomy, knowledge of deep space objects, public speaking skills, science communication skills, ability to lift 60 pounds, knowledge writing interpretive programing, knowledge of writing education curriculum.
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident (“Green Card holder”). Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required. The applicant must be available to participate for 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
WORK SETTING
Zion National Park is located in Southeast Utah with its park headquarters at 4,500 feet. Weather is variable throughout the year with large thunderstorms in the summer and consistent snow in the winter. Temperatures can range from 100 degrees during the day to below freezing at night. Zion is within 30 minutes of substantial services in Hurricane UT. With small services closer by in the town of Springdale UT.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing may be shared with an individual room, full kitchen, water, heating and cooling, and electricity. Housing may be dorm style or in a house. Housing is in the park. Park housing has pots, pans and some dishes, linens are needed.
Housing is within walking distance to the office a personal vehicle is recommended to reach a grocery store and other services (30 miles away).
KEYWORDS
Dark-Skies, Astronomy, Interpretation, Curriculum, Programing
IMPORTANT NOTICES
This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first. Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks Intern positions per winter. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.)
LEARN MORE
https://www.scientistsinparks.org/